Portable diaper changing apparatus

ABSTRACT

Implementations of the present disclosure provide a diaper changing apparatus that includes one or more handles for carrying the diaper changing apparatus like a purse or bag and then spreading the handles apart to open the apparatus to use the apparatus as a changing pad and shield to change a child in public, for example. The diaper changing apparatus can be placed on a lap or on another surface. In some implementations, the lap part of the diaper changing apparatus is made a soft material such as foam.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 61/684,698, which was filed on Aug. 17, 2012, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to a portable diaper changing apparatus

BACKGROUND

Numerous diaper changing devices exist. However, there does not exist a diaper changing device that can be carried like a tote bag and specifically configured to unfold to provide a changing surface while also concealing or partially concealing the baby.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an example portable diaper changing apparatus according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates and example use of a portable diaper changing apparatus according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates and example method of carrying a portable diaper changing apparatus according to the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Implementations of the present disclosure provide a diaper changing apparatus that includes one or more handles for carrying the diaper changing apparatus like a purse or bag and then spreading the handles apart to open the apparatus to use the apparatus as a changing pad and shield to change a child in public, for example. The diaper changing apparatus can be placed on a lap or on another surface. In some implementations, the lap part of the diaper changing apparatus is made a soft material such as foam.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example portable diaper changing apparatus 100 according to the present disclosure. The portable diaper changing apparatus 100 comprises one or more handles 110 a,b, a first part 120 a, and a second part 120 b.

The handles 110 a,b can be used to carry the diaper changing apparatus as shown, for example, in FIG. 3. In some implementations, the handles 110 a,b can be adjustable.

In some implementations, the first part 120 a is configured to rests on a lap as shown in FIG. 2.

In some implementations, the second part 120 b can include a pocket for storing items and when, in use as shown in FIG. 2, can serve as a shield (or partial shield).

In some implementations, the first handle 110 a is attached to a surface (e.g., an outer surface) of the first part 120 a and a second handle is attached to a surface (e.g., an outer surface) of the second part 12 b.

In some implementations, as shown in FIG. 1, a bottom part of the first part 120 a can be attached to a bottom part of the second part 120 b, for example, in a clamshell type manner, such that when the first handle 110 a and the second handle 110 b are moved toward each other, the inner surface 130 a of the first part 120 a and the inner surface 130 b of the second part 120 b move toward each other. In some implementations, the inner surface of the first part and the inner surface of the second part can meet when the handles are moved sufficiently close to each other.

The first part 120 a may be configured to support a child (e.g., an infant) when the first part 120 a is resting on the carrier's lap. In some implementations, the first part 120 a may comprise a soft material such as foam or rubber or contain air or any other material. In some implementations, the first part 120 a may comprise a soft material covered by a decorative fabric. In some implementations, the first part 120 a is covered with a water resistant or water proof cover. In some implementations, the first part 120 a is cover with vinyl. In some implementations, the first part 120 a may include an adjustable strap (not shown) that may be used to secure the baby to the first part 120 a when the baby is placed on the first part 120 a. In some implementations, the straps extend from opposite sides of the first part 120. For example, in some implementations, the straps extend from the top side and bottom side of the first part 120 a.

The second part 120 b may comprise any material such as knitted fabrics, woven fabrics, non-woven fabrics, leather, or any other material. In some implementations, as shown in FIG. 3, when the portable diaper changing station is carried, a portion 310 of the second part 120 b can fold over the first part 120 a such that the portable diaper changing apparatus appears as a large decorative bag.

As shown in FIG. 1, in some implementations, the second part 120 b may attach to and detach from the first part 120 a by any attachment means 140 to easily attach and detach the second part 120 b from the first part 120 a. The attachment means can be snaps, buttons, hook and loop fasteners (e.g., Velcro®), or other reclosable fasteners or any other attachment or fastening technology existing or developed in the future. The attachment means may be arranged on the first part 120 a and the second part 120 b in any location to attach and detach the second part 120 b from the first part 120 a.

In some implementations, the second part 120 b may include an opening 145. The opening may have closure means 150 (e.g., Velcro, snaps, zipper, etc.) to close the opening. In some implementation, the second part may not include an opening.

In some implementations, the second part may include pockets on its inner or outer surface to carry supplies. In some implementations, the pockets can be formed with a mesh-type or netting type material attached to the outer cover of the second part.

Referring to FIG. 2, to use the portable diaper changing apparatus, the carrier can sit down and place the first part 120 a on the carrier's lap. In some implementations, the handle 110 a is configured such that it can be placed around the carrier's waste. For example, the handle 110 a may have a buckle or clasp that can be released to form two straps. The straps may then be placed around the carrier's waist and reconnected. In some implementation, the first part 120 a can be placed on another surface.

The carrier then can place the handle 110 b attached to the second part 120 b around the carrier's neck. In this way, the second part 120 b may help to conceal a child that may be placed on top of the first part 120 a. In some implementations, the handle 110 b may have a buckle or clasp that can be released to form two straps. The straps may then be placed around the carrier's neck and reconnected. The carrier can use the second part 120 b as storage to store, for example, diapers and wipes, or the carrier can use the second part 120 b as storage to store soiled items.

The portable diaper changing apparatus including the first part 120 a and the second part 120 b can be any size or shape. The second part 120 b can be proportionally bigger or smaller than shown in FIGS. 1-3. The first part 120 a and the second part 120 b can comprise any material.

Reference throughout this specification to “embodiment” or “an implementation” or words of similar import means that a particular described feature, structure, or characteristic is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the phrase “an embodiment” or “an implementation” or a phrase of similar import in various places throughout this specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings.

The described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the above description, numerous specific details are provided for a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that embodiments of the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations may not be shown or described in detail. 

1. A portable diaper changing apparatus comprising: at least one handle configured to carry the portable diaper changing apparatus on a carrier's shoulders; a first part configured to rest on a lap wherein the first part includes a cushion material; and a second part attached to the first part wherein one of the at least one handle is attached the second part and wherein the first part and the second part are attached in a clamshell type manner.
 2. The portable diaper changing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second part includes an opening for storage.
 3. The portable diaper changing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cushion material is foam.
 4. The portable diaper changing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cushion material is rubber.
 5. The portable diaper changing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cushion material is air.
 6. The portable diaper changing apparatus of claim 2 wherein the opening is large enough to store a diaper.
 7. The portable diaper changing apparatus of claim 1 wherein another one of the at least one handle is attached the first part.
 8. A method of using the portable diaper changing apparatus of claim 1 comprising: placing the first part on a carrier's lap; and placing the handle attached to the second part around the carrier's neck.
 9. A method of using the portable diaper changing apparatus of claim 8 further comprising folding the first part and the second part toward each other and hanging the handle attached to the second part on a shoulder of the carrier. 